National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather [Vinyl Bound]

David Ludlum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1991

Interest in our nation's weather patterns is rising -- as witnessed in the popularity of the Weather Channel -- and this guide is the most popular reference to every type of weather system, cloud formation, and atmospheric phenomenon common to North America. The 378 dramatic photographs capture cloud types, precipitation, storms, twisters, and optical phenomena such as the Northern Lights. Essays with accompanying maps and illustrations discuss the earth's atmosphere, weather systems, cloud formation, and development of tornadoes and many other weather events.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- Three sections work together to provide a useful resource for understanding and interpreting various weather phenomena. The opening essays provide in-depth information on topics such as clouds, snowstorms, floods, etc. About half of the book is comprised of labelled, high-quality photographs. The third section gives description, environment, season, range, and significance of each type of weather. Clear diagrams, simple definitions, and a readable text make this an excellent selection.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

Interest in our nation's weather patterns is rising -- as witnessed in the popularity of the Weather Channel -- and this guide is the most popular reference to every type of weather system, cloud formation, and atmospheric phenomenon common to North America. The 378 dramatic photographs capture cloud types, precipitation, storms, twisters, and optical phenomena such as the Northern Lights. Essays with accompanying maps and illustrations discuss the earth's atmosphere, weather systems, cloud formation, and development of tornadoes and many other weather events.

Product Details

• Vinyl Bound: 656 pages
• Publisher: Knopf (October 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679408517
• ISBN-13: 978-0679408512
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Climatology
  • #85 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Weather

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the wanna be meteorologist!!!!, December 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather (Vinyl Bound)

Any weather observer knows that a weather book with pictures, which also describes what they are seeing, is hard to come by. This books allows the observer to locate a particular cloud type or weather phenomon by picuture instead of just a written description. Then with the flip of a page, and the help of a few subcripted numbers a person can look up what they are actually observing. This book is a wonderful tool of written knowledge for the weather curious person.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, even if you live outside the US, August 3, 2002

By 

"jos_bazelmans" (Netherlands, Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather (Vinyl Bound)

I ordered this book after reading other peoples reviews. Something in particular I was looking for was information about clouds (types/formations, significance).

This book has exactly the information I was looking for (and more); detailed information about clouds - including hunderds of pictures - allow me to identify and name the different cloud types. It also explains very well how this all relates to the overall weather situation.

Although the book is targetted towards North American weather, I did not find this a major disadvantage. Weather situations in the US and Canada are mostly used as examples, and knowing the general European situation, information is easily put into context.

When ordering I was a little bit worried this was one more popular weather book with the standard stuff. No sir! This book definitely also serves the more serious weather observer.

Recommended!

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning photography and detail., July 8, 2004

By 

J. Connor "film and book fanatic'." (Palm Desert, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather (Vinyl Bound)

The Audubon Guide to weather is a one and only purchase for meteorologists. The photographs are simply spectacular, particularly the cumulonimbus and cumulus congestus, which are mysterious and somewhat intimidating at a distance. Since I reside in the desert, this guides causes me to long for cumulonimbus towers or even an occasional cirrocumulus formation. The content and system are convenient, as referring to the right back of the book for photo explanation is great organization. The photographs of impending thunderstorms are stunning. A very frightening and important warning cloud is the mesocyclone. This formation indicates a tornado later in the day. The guide could also assist in creating a Tornado Warning issue in a specific area. The whole Audubon series should be put into your private collection, as they are known for extremely helpful guides and environment contribution.
There a two editions which do not differ in very many respects. Economy Press, which edition is long out of print, lacks a few photos compared to the contemporary edition. The new press is superior anyway, and has very clean transfers. The very old Economy Press is not as detailed as the new edition. Since only one edition of this sensation guide is available, it should easily be purchased with an impressive price. The older version used to be hardback, and had a different illustration on the front cover, still mentioning the authors however. The new print is leatherback, which is easy to carry and not bulky. The Economy Press may last a bit longer, but the new edition is more helpful in cloud identification.
Many Audubon field guides are recommended, including their guides to butterflies, insects, and birds. Along with the Petersons, these guides should be sought out.